ABOUT

Kimberly Dean

I met Noel Cunningham just over a month ago to speak generally about his philanthropic efforts as a local business owner and do-gooder. We sat down at his Denver restaurant, Strings, located at 1700 Humbolt Street, where The Colorado Statesman held its holiday party in December. I had already ordered a glass of wine at the bar, Chateau St. Jean Cabernet (very drinkable). The tasting notes found say, “soft and easy…plays middle of the road well; ripe, red fruit flavors prevail and finish nicely.” Cunningham was drinking what looked like a glass of milk.

Jefferson County Democrats usually have their annual Champagne and Chocolate celebration in December between Christmas and New Year’s since the early ’90s, and this time it was held on the 29th of December. Mike Armstrong, former chair of the Jeffco Dems, apparently began the tradition by serving hors d’ oeuvres, and then people started bringing chocolates. Eventually longtime Democratic activist Judi Butz took over at her home in the mountains and continued it for many years.

At another recent informal meeting of our office tasting club, SWISH, (The Statesman Wine Sampling Hour), I broke open a self-sealable bottle of Black Raspberry Nectar from Redstone Meadery, one of just a few bottles I have left in my office from Doug Caskey, president of the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board. I decided to wait until the winter holiday season since the name of this nectar seemed so festive and perfect after a long Tuesday workday.